Read and comment on this Press Release that we received from Terry AmRhein of the NPCA Advocacy Network asking RPCVs to join a nationwide advocacy network. The goal is to establish an advocacy group in every congressional district within the United States, all 435 districts. Members of the network will be encouraged to contact their representatives and senators to promote NPCA Advocacy Goals. If five or ten individuals send correspondence to a representative or senator on a particular issue, they can get their attention and help persuade them to vote for the issue.

If you are interested in joining the advocacy network, go to the NPCA Web Site and sign up for the Advocacy Network at:

*This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.

Become an NPCA Advocate

Join the NPCA National Advocate Network

The National Peace Corps Association has embarked on a new effort to develop a strong active nationwide advocacy network. Members of the network will be encouraged to contract their representatives and senators to promote the NPCA Advocacy Goals. These goals include:

Passing the Peace Corps Charter for the 21st Century

Increased funding for the Peace Corps to help double the number of volunteers by 2007

Fighting hunger, poverty, disease and environmental degradation

Promoting understanding and cooperation among the people of the world

Supporting volunteer services at home and aboard

Strengthening developing country economics, for example, by encouraging small business develop and increasing the funding for foreign operations.

You can make a difference. It has been shown that five or ten individuals sending correspondence to a representative or senator on a particular issue can get their attention and help persuade them to vote for the issue.

Why you should become an NPCA Advocate

If you’ve toyed with the idea to getting involved with lobbying, now’s your chance.

If you’re tired of how things are going, you can help make a difference.

The Peace Corps has shrunk from 14,000 volunteers to about 6000 today.

If you like working with new, exciting and challenging efforts, now’s your chance.

You’ll feel so darn good when you succeed.

Don’t worry if you’ve never been an advocate, the NPCA has a new Training Guide that will teach you everything you need to know.

Minnesota Sen. ColemanMinnesota RPCVs should call Senator Norm Coleman and ask him to introduce an amendment to the Foreign Operations Bill for President Bush's full $359M Peace Corps appropriation. RPCVs from other states should call their Senators and ask them to support the amendment.New: President Bush travels to Minnesota and meets with future Volunteers.

House of Representatives passes CharterThe Peace Corps and the Returned Volunteer community celebrated a big victory when the "Peace Corps Act for the 21st Century" Act passed the House in July. Read what's next for the bill.

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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; NPCA; Congress; Advocacy

I am sure you heard. Our concerns about 26 Volunteers killed, died or missing just hit the doorstep of important Congressional figures. When I say ours, Separated Peace Corps Veterans. I want to thank people who have contacted Congress on their own too.

It seems like everytime we ask for two volunteers at every site or for our rights, and the name of Peace Corps comes up, you get more money in the budget, so we are helping too. We may not get what we want, but we are sure helping the Agency in our own way.

The numbers of PCV Joining is down because of "honesty". I work in public affairs. People don't like being lied to or are concerned about being manipulated. The NPCA doesn't listen to us or if they do, they ultimately marginalize our issues and more of the 30-45% attrition rate stays the same, (medical services; stays the same) and the prevention through planning two volunteers at every site is ridiculed. Meanwhile, I have one question? The recent volunteers who have had trouble. Were they serving alone? Probably.

You know we have been calling for two volunteers at every site. Are you that stubborn? Wow! Your egos must be more inflated than I thought.

Just think approximatley 60,000 volunteers over the forty year period left service before their two years were up. With an "open amenesty" on separations and the ability to rejoin. I bet you would get thousands of volunteers. Boy, I bet you guys don't do it. Too Stubborn. Too Stuffy.

You have an attorney work on these issues and I will help you.

I want to thank Chris Shays for getting an increase for PCV salaries while they are in country. This is a safety issue and I am glad him and his staff recognized it and "nipped it in the bud".

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